If your team is as successful as BC has been the last few years, you should see a rise in fan attendance. But that kinda support builds over time. When the islanders won their cups in the 70's they had a huge dedicated fan base, now you can barely give those tix away.
My point is that what he was trying to say (and what is true of nearly all sports programs, franchises etc.) is that success brings fans and if NU had that success we'd fill the lower bowl too.
In addition, bu and BC have more successful histories and a more dedicated alumni base. 20 years ago NU was a commuter school and now were a major top 100 research university. With that (in time) will come a broader more supportive alumni base that actually cares about their alma mater.
Time and success will bring support. Unfortunately the other big programs in Boston and just outside of Boston

have that history. We are still building over here.